A Gathering of Grudges.

[Cinnabar]

Early in the morning a slew of messages are sent out from the Governor's office, couriers scattering across Myrkentown and as far afield as the Chapterhouse of the Shepherd Knights.

To Ariane Emory at Darkenhold; Agnieszka Kaczmarek at Calomel's Farm; Squire Patience Mayfield of the Shepherd Knights; Seth Bloodmoon at the Broken Dagger Tavern:

We strike soon against the Ashfiend, and request your aid in doing so. Speak with me as soon as you are able, in order that preparations may be made.

Sincerely

Cinnabar Calomel

[channe]

It does not take the girl Kaczmarek too long to respond.

She is out in the barn with the horses when the letter arrives, and she is, of course, called out to read it; that's become one of her duties on the farm. There's quiet after the summons, a hopeful death-quiet that breaks when Agnieszka breathes, "well then, finally," and heads for the house to change.

When she knocks on the door of the Constabulary and government headquarters shortly afterward, she is attired in her black and grey, with her hair pulled up out of the way, her sword and Ignas' dagger at her side, and a scary little smile.

[Malaroth]

Cinnabar Calomel
High Constable of Myrken Wood
Acting Governor

Greetings,

Your message to my squire has come to my attention.

If I may be so bold you do me great disservice by writing to my squire, or the squire of any knight, without the knight's permission. Our squires are precious to us, and they are to learn under the tutelage and protection of the knights.

Your desire to strike at the Ashfiend is, indeed, meet by me. However you dishonor Squire Mayfield by asking her directly, and you dishonor me. I am the Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights, as well as Patience's master, and am devoted to the protection of Myrken Wood and her citizenry. That you should ignore the knighthood, save for a squire of all its members, is a dire insult to our courage, our compassion, and our ability.

Rest assured that Squire Mayfield will be joining you in your offensive - but not without me.

We, all of us in the knighthood, are here to serve. You do all of Myrken Wood harm in ignoring us. I hope that we are clear in this matter.

Sincerely,

Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea
Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights

[Cinnabar]

To Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea, Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights

Sir Malaroth

You may not be so bold.

Which is to say, in this instance your boldness is inappropriate, as is your indignation. No disservice, dishonour or insult is intended to yourself or to your knights, and your insistence on feeling constantly slighted by one matter or another grows tiresome in the extreme. The courage, compassion and ability of yourself and your knights are in no doubt, as events have provided ample opportunity for you to make these virtues thoroughly visible. I would have hoped that your pride was a great deal more resilient than is apparently the case, given the range of valiant and noble deeds of which you are entitled to be proud.

Be sure that should I intend to insult you, sir, it will be made manifestly clear when the time comes. In the meanwhile, I would be obliged if you might do me the courtesy of accepting that I have valid reasons for my actions, rather than feeling compelled to question and protest my every move. As an example, I shall provide an explanation of my reasoning, as I have in the past. Do not rely on this becoming a regular occurrence.

I contacted your squire directly because she has an unresolved grievance against the Ashfiend, and I feel such individuals to be most appropriate to the task I have in mind. This is not a matter of armies on the march, but of a small number of determined and motivated individuals facing the ghoul in the most direct way possible. Squire Mayfield is one of a few such individuals of whom I am aware, which is why I wrote to her. Additionally, following her disappointed expectations after the last encounter with the ghoul at Snowstill (another instance of your demanding an explanation from me), I felt it appropriate to make the invitation to Squire Mayfield in order to offer her a another chance at defeating the the creature - one that will, I believe, prove more successful than Snowstill.

In any case, now that I am aware of the necessity of using twice the time and parchment to deliver a single letter to one of your squires, I shall be sure to do so in future.

Sincerely

Cinnabar Calomel
Governor of Myrken Wood

[Malaroth]

Cinnabar Calomel
High Constable of Myrken Wood
Acting Governor

Greetings,

The simple fact is that the knighthood is not at your call or command. Our allegiance is to His Majesty, our service for the people, and it is not given to you to direct us without explanation or justification.

Your insistence on the knighthood catering to your whims is inappropriate, as well as tiring. My understanding is that the constabulary's jurisdiction does not extent much farther than Myrkentown, with a special case made for Foggy Bottom following the Ashfiend's attack.

Learn this lesson well. I will not repeat it again.

If you had directed your letters to me, then you need not have rewritten your letters in the first place. The chain of command exists for a reason, Cinnabar. In the future I suggest that you use it.

Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea
Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights

[Cinnabar]

To Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea, Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights

Sir Malaroth

Please advise Squire Patience Mayfield that her assistance is no longer required, and that she should disregard my previous letter.

Sincerely

Cinnabar Calomel

[Carnath-Emory]

Cinnabar Calomel

There are things that must be explained by us both. I do not travel today, you are invited here.

Ariane Emory

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

To Cinnabar Calomel,

My aid will be wholeheartedly given for this strike against Ashfiend. What would be a good time to meet with you to discuss matters?

Sincerely,

Seth Bloodmoon

[Glenn]

It was the first thing even vaguely work related Glenn Burnie had done since the hexing by Faeryl. And it had been a difficult decision. Ignas had offered to help. The newcomer Kyo'rin had offered to help. Glenn had some idea what Ignas could do. He had significantly less idea about the newcomer.

If they were all to die... that is, if Cinnabar, and Glenn, and Ariane and Seth were to die, there were plans. There was a note, sealed, that would go to Count D'zir. It was not something that Cinnabar knew about but at that point, it truly would not matter.

This was the first real decision Glenn had to make in the better part of a week. The note sent to Coran might not be enough. If they were all to die, Myrken WOULD be defenselses. Myrken would, in short, need Ignas' brutish talents. Therefore, Glenn would NOT go out of his way to tell him the where and when of the assault. Oh, he might find out some other way, but it would not be through Glenn. If all went poorly, the mapmaker would want Ignas and his swordarm alive. SOMEONE had to be.

Kyo'rin, however, being a newcomer, being someone who wanted to help... well, Glenn could appreciate that. If he wanted to help support them against the Ashfiend, to weaken him to the point that the mental battle could begin, to protect the bodies as they did what they must to destroy him, then so be it.

As agreed upon, a note with all the information needed was left at the Broken Dagger for Kyo'rin. He joined them now at his own risk and at his own choice.

[Kyorin]

It seemed that day was passing by faster than anticipated as Kyo’rin stood there over a lone grave, offering a soft prayer and respect. He frequented here often to offer silent prayers for respect for the departed. Perhaps, his internal demons and memories drew him here each day to pray but to him, it felt like the right thing to do. His respect for life changed through the years of wandering from his homeland. He offered one final prayer before allowing a sigh to escape.
He turned from the grave and began to walk away, heading back down the road towards the tavern. Stuck here? It was a possibility, he found himself settling more with various people and that became an edge for a reason to stay. It was obvious that his outlook on everything had changed during his wanderlust and self-exile from societies.
After awhile, he arrived at the tavern and decided to investigate if there had been any messages left for him. Soon enough, he had a letter in his hand and began reading the information. It seemed that he was going to prepare to leave sooner than he thought. Afterwards, he abruptly exited that tavern and headed out to return to his temporary place of residence to pick up a few things. It seemed that there was no escaping fate now.